Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Leaf strategies and soil N across a regional humidity gradient in Patagonia

  • Ecosystem Ecology
  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We analyzed leaf traits related to carbon-fixation, nutrient conservation strategies, and decomposability and their relationships with potential N-mineralization and microbial N in soil in 19 species of 5 dominant life forms growing in 40 sites across a regional humidity gradient in northern Patagonia. We hypothesized that (1) the shifting of species and life forms across the humidity gradient is related to a shifting in traits of green and senesced leaves with some overlapping among life forms, and (2) leaf traits associated with litter decomposition are related to the potential dynamics of soil-N across the humidity gradient. LMA in green leaves and P-resorption efficiency decreased with humidity while concentrations of lignin and total phenolics in green and senesced leaves and P concentration in senesced leaves increased with humidity. Soil C and N concentrations were positively correlated to humidity. Increasing soil N concentration was related to increasing rates of absolute (per unit soil mass) potential net N-mineralization and microbial-N flush. Relative (per unit N mass) potential net N-mineralization and microbial-N flush decreased with soil N and were inversely correlated to lignin concentration and C/N ratio in senesced leaves. We found overlapping in N concentration and C/N ratio in green and senesced leaves, P concentration in green leaves, and N resorption among species and life forms across the humidity gradient. We concluded that (1) leaf traits related to carbon fixation and the decomposition pathway significantly varied with humidity and were not overlapped between plant life forms from dry and humid habitats, (2) the largest overlapping among species and plant life forms across the gradient occurred in those leaf traits related to N conservation in the plant, and (3) life forms from humid habitats produce more recalcitrant litter that induce lower rates of relative potential net N mineralization (per unit N) than those of dry habitats.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aerts R (1996) Nutrient resorption from senescing leaves of perennials: are there general patterns? J Ecol 84:597–608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aerts R, Chapin FS III (2000) The mineral nutrition of wild plants revisited: a re-evaluation of processes and patterns. Adv Ecol Res 30:1–67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aerts R, de Caluwe H, Beltman B (2003) Plant community mediated vs. nutritional controls on litter decomposition rates in grasslands. Ecology 84:3198–3208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alauzis MV, Mazzarino MJ, Raffaele E, Roselli L (2004) Wildfires in NW Patagonia: long-term effects on a Nothofagus forest soil. For Ecol Manag 192:131–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ares JO, Beeskow AM, Bertiller MB, Rostagno CM, Irisarri MP, Anchorena J, Defossé GE, Merino CA (1990) Structural and dynamic characteristics of overgrazed lands of northern Patagonia, Argentina. In: Breymeyer A (ed) Managed grasslands. Elsevier, The Netherlands, pp 149–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Austin AT, Sala OE (2002) Carbon and nitrogen dynamics across a natural precipitation gradient in Patagonia, Argentina. J Veg Sci 13:351–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Austin AT, Vitousek PM (1998) Nutrient dynamics on a precipitation gradient in Hawaii. Oecologia 113:519–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baldi R, Albon SD, Elston DA (2001) Guanacos and sheep: evidence for continuing competition in arid Patagonia. Oecologia 129:561–570

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertiller MB, Beeskow AM, Coronato FR (1991) Seasonal environmental variation and plant phenology in arid Patagonia (Argentina). J Arid Environ 21:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertiller MB, Sain CL, Carrera AL, Vargas DN (2005) Patterns of nitrogen and phosphorous conservation in dominant perennial grasses and shrubs across an aridity gradient in Patagonia. J Arid Environ 62:209–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carrera AL, Sain CL, Bertiller MB (2000) Patterns of nitrogen conservation in shrubs and grasses in the Patagonian Monte, Argentina. Plant Soil 224:185–193

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carrera AL, Bertiller MB, Sain CL, Mazzarino MJ (2003) Relationship between plant nitrogen conservation strategies and the dynamics of soil nitrogen in the arid Patagonian Monte, Argentina. Plant Soil 255:595–604

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carrera AL, Vargas DN, Campanella MV, Bertiller MB, Sain CL, Mazzarino MJ (2005) Soil nitrogen in relation to quality and decomposability of plant litter in the Patagonian Monte, Argentina. Plant Ecol 181:139–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro-Díez P, Puyravaud JP, Cornelissen JHC (2000) Leaf structure and anatomy as related to leaf mass per area variation in seedlings of a wide range of woody plant species and types. Oecologia 124:476–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelissen JHC (1999) A triangular relationship between leaf size and seed size among woody species: allometry, ontogeny, ecology and taxonomy. Oecologia 118:248–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelissen JHC, Pérez-Harguindeguy N, Díaz S, Grime JP, Marzano B, Cabido M, Vendramini F, Ceraboli B (1999) Leaf structure and defence control litter decomposition rates across species and life forms in regional floras on two continents. New Phytol 143:191–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Covelo F, Gallardo A (2004) Green and senescent leaf phenolics showed spatial autocorrelation in a Quercus robur population in northwestern Spain. Plant Soil 259:267–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crawley MJ (1998) Plant ecology. Blackwell, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Diehl P, Mazzarino MJ, Funes F, Fontella S, Gobbi M, Ferrari J (2003) Nutrient conservation strategies in native Andean-Patagonian forests. J Veg Sci 14:63–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Escudero A, Mediavilla S (2003) Decline in photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency with leaf age and nitrogen resorption as determinants of leaf life span. J Ecol 91:880–889

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher RF, Binkley D (2000) Ecology and management of forest soils. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonseca CR, Overton JM, Collins B, Westoby M (2000) Shifts in trait-combinations along rainfall and phosphorus gradients. J Ecol 88:964–977

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fontenla S (2000) Repercusión de las micorrizas vesículo-arbusculares en la flora patagónica. PhD Thesis. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche

  • Golluscio RA, León R JC, Perelman SB (1982) Caracterización fitosociológica de la estepa de1 oeste de Chubut; su relación con el gradiente ambiental. Bol Soc Argentina Bot 21:299–324

    Google Scholar 

  • Gower ST, Son Y (1992) Differences in soil and litterfall nitrogen dynamics for five forest plantations. Soil Sci Soc Am J 56:1959–1966

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grime JP, Thompson K, Hunt R, Hodgson JG, Cornelissen JHC (1997) Integrated screening validates primary axes of specialisation in plants. Oikos 79:259–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart SC, Stark JM, Davidson EA, Firestone MK (1994) Nitrogen mineralization, immobilization and nitrification. In: Bigham JM (ed) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Microbiological and biochemical properties. Soil Sci Soc Am Book Series 5. SSSA, Madison, pp 985–1018

  • Heerwaarden LM, Toet S, Aerts R (2003) Current measures of nutrient resorption efficiency lead to a substancial underestimation of real resorption efficiency: facts and solutions. Oikos 101:664–669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horner JD, Gosz JR, Cates RG (1988) The role of carbon-based plant secondary metabolites in decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Am Nat 132:869–883

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Killingbeck KT (1996) Nutrients in senescent leaves: keys to the search for potential resorption and resorption proficiency. Ecology 77:1716–1727

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Killingbeck KT, Whitford WG (1996) High foliar nitrogen in desert shrubs: an important ecosystem trait or defective desert doctrine? Ecology 77:1728–1737

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lauenroth WK (1998) Guanacos, spiny shrubs and the evolutionary history of grazing in the Patagonian steppe. Ecol Aust 8:211–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Houérou H (1990) Bioclimatologie comparative des Zones Arides s.l. de l’Afrique et l’Amerique Latine. Terra Arida 7:26–55

    Google Scholar 

  • León RJC, Bran D, Collantes M, Paruelo JM, Soriano A (1998) Grandes unidades de la Patagonia extra andina. Ecol Aust 8:125–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Lusk CL (2001) Leaf life spans of some conifers of the temperate forests of South America. Rev Chil Hist Nat 74:711–718

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin JP, Haider K (1986) Influence of mineral colloids on turnover rates of soil organic C. In: Huang PM, Schnitzer M (eds) Interactions of soil minerals with natural organics and microbes. SSSA Spec Publ 17. SSSA, Madison, pp 283–304

  • Mazzarino MJ, Bertiller MB, Sain CL, Satti P, Coronato FR (1998) Soil nitrogen dynamics in northeastern Patagonia steppe under different precipitation regimes. Plant Soil 202:125–131

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mediavilla S, Escudero A (2003) Relative growth rate of leaf biomass and leaf nitrogen content in several mediterranean woody species. Plant Ecol 168:324–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Page AL, Miller RH, Keeney DR (1982) Methods of soil analysis—chemical and microbiological properties. Serie Agronomy 9, Wisconsin

  • Puntieri J, Barthèlemy D, Martinez P, Raffaele F, Brion C (1998) Annual-shoot growth and branching patterns in Nothophagus dombeyi (Fagaceae). Can J Bot 76:673–685

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reich PB, Uhl C, Walters MB, Prugh L, Ellsworth DS (2004) Leaf demography and phenology in Amazonian rain forest: a census of 40.000 leaves of 23 tree species. Ecol Monogr 74:3–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reich PB, Uhl C, Walters MB, Ellsworth DS (1991) Leaf lifespan as a determinant of leaf structure and function among 23 tree species in Amazonian forest communities. Oecologia 86:16–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reich PB, Walters MB, Ellsworth DS (1992) Leaf life-span in relation to leaf, plant and stand characteristics among diverse ecosystems. Ecol Monogr 62:365–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards JE (1993) Chemical characterization of plant tissue. In: Carter MR (ed) Soil sampling and methods of analysis. Lewis, Boca Raton, pp 115–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Roche P, Díaz-Burlison N, Gachet S (2004) Congruency analysis of species ranking based on leaf traits: which leaf traits are the more reliable. Plant Ecol 174:37–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Satti P, Mazzarino MJ, Gobbi M, Funes F, Roselli L, Fernandez H (2003) Soil N dynamics in relation to leaf litter quality and soil fertility in north-western Patagonian forests. J Ecol 91:173–181

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schlesinger WH, Hasey MM (1981) Decomposition on chaparral shrubs foliage: losses of organic and inorganic constituents from deciduous and evergreen leaves. Ecology 62:762–774

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scott NA, Blinkley D (1997) Foliage litter quality and annual net mineralization comparison across North American forest sites. Oecologia 111:151–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tripler CE, Canham CD, Inouye RS, Schurr JL (2002) Soil nitrogen availability, plant luxury consumption and herbiviry by white-tailed deer. Oecologia 133:517–524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • del Valle HF (1998) Patagonian soils: a regional synthesis. Ecol Aust 8:103–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Soest PJ (1963) Use of detergents in the analysis of fibrous feeds. II A rapid method for the determination of fiber and lignin. J Assoc Off Anal Chem 46:830–835

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Wijk MT, Gough WL, Hobbie SE (2003) Luxury consumption of soil nutrients: a possible competitive strategy in above-ground and below-ground biomass allocation and root morphology for slow-growing arctic vegetation. J Ecol 91:664–676

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veblen TT, Lorenz DC (1988) Recent vegetation changes along the forest/steppe ecotone of northern Patagonia. Ann Assoc Am Geogr 78:93–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walter H (1985) Vegetation of the earth and ecological systems of the biosphere. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Waterman PG, Mole S (1994) Extraction and chemical quantification. In: Lawton GF, Likens GE (eds) Methods in ecology, analysis of phenolics plant metabolites. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 66–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Wedin DA, Tilman D (1990) Species effects on nitrogen cycling, a test with perennial grasses. Oecologia 84:433–441

    Google Scholar 

  • West NE (1983) Temperate deserts and semi-deserts. In: Goodall DW (ed) Ecosystems of the world 5. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Westoby M, Falster DS, Moles A, Vesk A, Wright IJ (2002) Plant ecological strategies: some leading dimensions of variation between species. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 33:125–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright IJ, Cannon K (2001) Relationships between leaf lifespan and structural defences in low-nutrient, sclerophyll flora. Funct Ecol 15:351–359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright IJ, Westoby M (2002) Leaves at low versus high rainfall: coordination of structure, lifespan and physiology. New Phytol 155: 403–416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright IJ, Westoby M, Reich PB (2002) Convergence towards leaf mass per area in dry and nutrient-poor habitats has different consequences for leaf life span. J Ecol 90:534–543

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright IJ, Reich PB, Westoby M, Ackerly DD, Zdravki B, Bongers F, Cavender-Bares J, Chapin T, Cornelissen JHC, Diemer M, Flexas J, Garnier E, Groom PK, Gulias J, Hikosaka K, Lamont BB, Lee T, Lusk C, Midgley JJ, Navas ML, Nilnernets Ü, Oleksyn J, Osada N, Poorter H, Poot P, Prior L, Pyankov VI, Roumet C, Thomas SC, Tjoelker MG, Venelklaas EJ, Villar R (2004) The worldwide leaf economics spectrum. Nature 428:821–827

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by PICT 08–03944; PICT-99 08-06027; PICT 08-11131 BID 1201/OC-AR of the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion. Fellowships of A. Carrera and P. Diehl are supported by CONICET (National Research Council of Argentina). Recognition is given to EEA Chubut INTA (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria), Mr F. Sarasa, Mr E. Martinez, Mr M. Iriarte, family Ayling and the administration of the National Parks Nahuel Huapi and Lanin for permission to access to the study areas. Lucia Roselli, Horacio Hernández, Javier Ferrari, Florencia Funes, Silvia Osman, Gustavo Pagnoni and Américo Torres helped in the laboratory work and P. Laclau in the selection of the forest sites. The experiments comply with the current laws of Argentina.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT-CONICET), Boulevard Brown s/n, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina

    Mónica B. Bertiller, Analía L. Carrera & Claudia L. Sain

  2. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche (CRUB-UNCOMA), Quintral 1250, 8400 Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina

    María J. Mazzarino, Paula Diehl, Patricia Satti & Miriam Gobbi

  3. CONICET, Chubut, Argentina

    María J. Mazzarino & Paula Diehl

Authors
  1. Mónica B. Bertiller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. María J. Mazzarino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Analía L. Carrera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Paula Diehl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Patricia Satti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Miriam Gobbi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Claudia L. Sain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mónica B. Bertiller.

Additional information

Communicated by Mercedes Bustamante

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bertiller, M.B., Mazzarino, M.J., Carrera, A.L. et al. Leaf strategies and soil N across a regional humidity gradient in Patagonia. Oecologia 148, 612–624 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-006-0401-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-006-0401-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation